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Topic: How to dispose of bullets (Read 5236 times)

Yesterday I was doing some cleaning and notices I had a ammo box of 22 rounds that got wet and need to be tossed. I started thinking it might not be safe to just throw in the trash so the question is how do I get rid of these bullets?

I had to call the local sheriff's office and they sent a deputy over to pick them up.

I had originally gone to the office but they told me to go home, gave me a number to call and the deputy was there within a couple of hours and carted off my old ammo. I just had some old ammo cans with a variety of shotgun shells and old rifle ammo in different calibers.

The guy just wants to do what's right. In my case, I was worried about some kids getting a hold of it if I just dumped it in the trash or some guy managing to set one off (however unlikely) after he ran it over with the backhoe thingy at the transfer station.

I had to dig around a little to find out the right answer...seems like this guy asking on a forum is getting him the correct answer and so the answer, in this case, is C). No matter how much you wish it wasn't.

About 8 years ago I worked for Snohomish County Solid Waste Division. I did the maintenance at the transfer stations. We were air arcing out the walking floor at the Arlington station when suddenly all hell broke loose. My carbon arc rod touched off a 30-30 shell. I checked myself and others over quickly to make sure none of us were hurt as we were inside a concrete trench. We started looking around more and discovered that there were about 100 rounds of different caliber ammo all stuck down in the cracks of the walking floor. We spent about 2 hours digging them all out so we could continue with out being shot.

Logged

Howa 1500 in .270 Winchester Shootin handloads.

"Vegetarian is an old Indian word for "Bad Hunter"

"If the women don't find you hansom, they should at least find you handy" -Red Green

We started looking around more and discovered that there were about 100 rounds of different caliber ammo all stuck down in the cracks of the walking floor. We spent about 2 hours digging them all out so we could continue with out being shot.

I don't believe you can be "shot" by a cartridge that goes off that is not contained within the chamber of a firearm. One thing I know for sure, is the bullet will not go anywhere. Maybe the brass case would because it's lighter but I'm not sure about that. Maybe it's time for some experimenting in the back yard.

I agree with bobcat. Once there is a pressure breach it would be over. Things may fly around and could potentially cause injury but no bullet will fly like shot from a gun. Also I don't understand the used oil thing? What affect will used oil have on ammunition?

Contact your local law enforcement people for direction ... they will help !

Really? Don't you think they have better things to do?

Obviously when helping someone and you provide the correct answer those that don't even have a clue feel the need to answer ( better to remain silent and be thought a f**l, than open mouth and leave no doubt).

First, please use correct terminology. What you stated you are disposing of are loaded cartridges, not bullets. Bullets can be thrown in a dumpster. Loaded ammunition with powder and primers should be disposed of properly.

First, please use correct terminology. What you stated you are disposing of are loaded cartridges, not bullets. Bullets can be thrown in a dumpster. Loaded ammunition with powder and primers should be disposed of properly.

Sorry to sound pedantic, but words do matter.

I think Bob gets credit for the right answer for using "pedantic" in a sentence.

First, please use correct terminology. What you stated you are disposing of are loaded cartridges, not bullets. Bullets can be thrown in a dumpster. Loaded ammunition with powder and primers should be disposed of properly.

Sorry to sound pedantic, but words do matter.

I think Bob gets credit for the right answer for using "pedantic" in a sentence.

22rimfire- Hold the bullet with a pair of pliers, pull the case with your fingers, twisting and it will come apart, dump the powder in the grass, spray a little wd40 in the case to kill the primeing compound in the rim. Then throw the case and bullet in the trash. Low pressure rounds like the 22lr will launch the bullet at a pretty high speed if the cartridge is thrown in a fire. Higher pressure rounds like most modern CF cartrides, it thrown in a fire will blow up like a brass firecracker, the brass will blow to crap but wont launch the bullet.Calling law enforcement to dispose of your junk ammo is a waste of their time and our tax dollars.